Golf club weight attachment mechanisms and related methods

ABSTRACT

A golf club head including a head body selected from a group of golf club heads consisting of a fairway-wood type head, a driver-type head, and a hybrid-type head, the head body bounding an interior cavity and comprising a body opening. A shell portion is configured to couple to the body opening. The shell portion includes a first shell side, a second shell side opposite the first shell side, and a capsule defined between the first and second shell sides. The shell portion also includes first and second shell sheet capsule sections that define the capsule and contain a weight member. A density of the weight member is greater than a density of the shell portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional patent application claimingpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/590,228, filed onJan. 24, 2012. This application is also a continuation-in-partapplication to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/762,182, filed onApr. 16, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/186,311, filed Jun. 11, 2009. The disclosures ofthe applications listed above are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to sports equipment, andrelates, more particularly, to golf club weight attachment mechanismsand related methods.

BACKGROUND

During the evolution of club head design for sports equipment, severalstrategies have been employed to manipulate or alter the physical and/orgaming characteristics of club heads. For example, golf club heads havebeen designed to accommodate weights that alter or adjust thedistribution of mass across a body of such club heads.

The placement of such weights, however, can be problematic in somesituations. For example, there can be cases where materials used to formthe weights may not be compatible for proper bonding with materials usedto form the body of the club head. In such cases, bonding mechanismssuch as welding may not provide the structural integrity required by thebond to withstand stresses while still properly securing the weights tothe club head. Using other weight materials that may be compatible forbonding with the body of the club head may lead to other problems, suchas unwieldy or larger weight configurations that would be harder toaccommodate within the body of the club head for proper weightdistribution and/or aesthetic considerations.

Accordingly, needs exist for mechanisms and/or procedures capable ofovercoming the limitations described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be better understood from a reading of thefollowing detailed description of examples of embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a golf club head,along line I-I of FIG. 2, with a weighted shell portion coupled thereto.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional view the golf club head ofFIG. 1 without the weighted shell portion coupled to a body openingthereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a weight member priorto coupling to a bracket of the weighted shell portion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the weight membersecured to the bracket after swedging by a press.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a golf club head witha weighted shell portion coupled thereto.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the weight memberprior to encapsulation within the shell portion of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the weight memberafter encapsulation within the shell portion of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 illustrates a portion of a golf club head comprising a weightedshell portion coupled thereto.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a weight memberencapsulated within a cast shell portion.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart for a method which can be used toprovide, form, and/or manufacture a golf club head with a weighted shellportion.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elementsin the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacturedescribed herein are, for example, capable of operation in otherorientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements, mechanically or otherwise. Coupling (whether mechanical orotherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent orsemi-permanent or only for an instant.

The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near theword “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. inquestion is or is not removable.

As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they arecomprised of the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or moreelements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece ofmaterial.

DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a golf club head can comprise a head body comprisingan interior cavity and a body opening coupled to the interior cavity, ashell portion configured to couple to the body opening, a bracketcoupled to the shell portion, and a weight member coupled to thebracket. The weight member can be denser and harder than the head body,denser and harder than the bracket, and/or denser and harder than theshell portion. The bracket and the weight member can be configured to befully contained within the interior cavity. The bracket can comprise amalleable lip configured to clamp the weight member in place at theshell portion. The bracket and the shell portion can comprise a singlepiece of the same material. A weld bead can couple the shell portion tothe body opening throughout a total thickness of a perimeter of theshell portion. The shell portion can comprise at least a portion of asole of the golf club head, and can be located closer to a front portionof the golf club head than a rear portion of the golf club head. Theweight member can comprise a weight thickness of (a) less thanapproximately 6.4 mm if the golf club head comprises a fairway-wood-typehead, (b) less than approximately 5.5 mm if the golf club head comprisesa driver-type head, or (c) less than approximately 8.5 mm if the golfclub head comprises a hybrid-type head. The weight member can alsocomprise a weight volume of (a) less than approximately 15 cc if thegolf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head, (b) less thanapproximately 12 cc if the golf club head comprises the a driver-typehead, or (c) less than approximately 20 cc if the golf club headcomprises the hybrid-type head. A specific gravity of the weight membercan be of approximately 18 to approximately 20. A material of the weightmember can be at least one of a tungsten material, a nickel material, acadmium material, a copper material, or a metal-infused plasticmaterial. The shell portion can comprise at least one of a steelmaterial or a titanium material. The weight member can adjust a centerof gravity of the golf club head (a) at least 0.38 mm towards the soleif the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head, (b) at least0.25 mm towards the sole if the golf club head comprises the driver-typehead, or (c) at least 0.4 mm towards the sole if the golf club headcomprises the hybrid-type head.

In one embodiment, a golf club head can comprise a head body comprisingan interior cavity and a body opening coupled to the interior cavity, ashell portion configured to couple to the body opening, a bracketcoupled to the shell portion, and a weight member coupled to thebracket. The weight member can be denser and harder than the bracket,and/or denser and harder than the shell portion. The bracket and theweight member can be configured to be fully contained within theinterior cavity. The bracket can comprise a malleable lip configured toplastically deform to clamp the weight member in place at the shellportion.

In one implementation, a method for making a golf club head can compriseproviding a head body of the golf club head, providing a weight member,providing a shell portion configured to couple with a body opening ofthe head body, coupling the weight member to the shell portion, andcoupling the shell portion to the body opening. Providing the shellportion can comprises providing an interior side of the shell portionconfigured to face an interior cavity of the head body, and providing abracket coupled to the interior side of the shell portion, the bracketcomprising a malleable lip. Providing the weight member can compriseproviding the weight member with a density greater than a density of thebracket and greater than a density of the shell portion, and providingthe weight member with a hardness greater than a hardness of the bracketand greater than a hardness of the shell portion. Coupling the weightmember to the shell portion can comprise inserting the weight memberinto the bracket, and clamping the weight member to the bracket byplastically deforming the malleable lip over at least an inner portionof the weight member, the inner portion of the weight member configuredto face towards the interior cavity of the head body. Coupling the shellportion to the body opening can comprise fully containing the weightmember and the bracket within the interior cavity of the head body.

In one embodiment, a golf club head can comprise a head body bounding aninterior cavity and comprising a body opening, a shell portionconfigured to couple to the body opening, and a weight memberencapsulated within the shell portion. The shell portion can comprisefirst and second shell sides opposite each other, and a capsule definedbetween the first and second shell sides and containing the weightmember. A density of the weight member can be greater than a density ofthe shell portion and a density of the head body. The first shell side,the capsule, and the weight member, can be internal to the interiorcavity. When encapsulated, the weight member can be configured to remainsubstantially within the capsule of the shell portion. The shell portioncan comprise at least a portion of a sole of the golf club head, and canbe located closer to a front portion of the head body than a rearportion of the head body. The weight member can comprise a weight mass,a weight thickness, and a weight volume. The weight thickness can be (a)less than approximately 6.4 mm if the golf club head can comprise afairway-wood-type head, (b) less than approximately 5.5 mm if the golfclub head can comprise a driver-type head, or (c) less thanapproximately 8.5 mm if the golf club head can comprise a hybrid-typehead. The weight volume can be (a) less than approximately 15 cc if thegolf club head can comprise the fairway-wood-type head, (b) less thanapproximately 12 cc if the golf club head can comprise the a driver-typehead, or (c) less than approximately 20 cc if the golf club head cancomprise the hybrid-type head. A specific gravity of the weight membercan be of approximately 18 to 20. A material of the weight member can beat least one of a tungsten material, a nickel material, a cadmiummaterial, a copper material, or a metal-infused plastic material. Theshell portion can comprise at least one of a steel material, or atitanium material. The weight member can adjust a center of gravity ofthe golf club head (a) at least 0.38 mm towards the sole if the golfclub head can comprise the fairway-wood-type head, (b) at least 0.25 mmtowards the sole if the golf club head can comprise the driver-typehead, or (c) at least 0.4 mm towards the sole if the golf club head cancomprise the hybrid-type head. The weight mass can be (a) at leastapproximately 9.5% of a mass of the golf club head if the golf club headcan comprise the fairway-wood-type head, (b) at least approximately 3%of the mass of the golf club head if the golf club head can comprise thedriver-type head, or (c) at least approximately 12% of the mass of thegolf club head if the golf club head can comprise the hybrid-type head.The weight volume can be (a) at most approximately 14% of a volume ofthe golf club head if the golf club head can comprise thefairway-wood-type head, (b) at most approximately 5% of the volume ofthe golf club head if the golf club head can comprise the driver-typehead, or (c) at most approximately 30% of the volume of the golf clubhead if the golf club head can comprise the hybrid-type head.

In one embodiment, a golf club head can comprise a head body bounding aninterior cavity and comprising a body opening, a shell portionconfigured to couple to the body opening, and a weight memberencapsulated within the shell portion. The shell portion can comprise afirst shell side, a second shell side opposite the first shell side, anda capsule defined between the first and second shell sides andcontaining the weight member. A density of the weight member can begreater than a density of the shell portion.

In one implementation, a method for making a golf club head can compriseproviding a head body of the golf club head, providing a weight member,providing a shell portion configured to couple with a body opening ofthe head body, coupling the weight member to the shell portion, andcoupling the shell portion to the body opening. Providing the shellportion can comprise providing a first shell side configured to face aninterior cavity of the head body, providing a second shell side oppositethe first shell side, and providing a capsule between the first andsecond shell sides to contain the weight member. A density of the weightmember can be greater than a density of the shell portion.

Other examples and embodiments are further disclosed herein. Suchexamples and embodiments may be found in the figures, in the claims,and/or in the present description.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a side cross-sectional viewof golf club head 1000 along line I-I of FIG. 2, with shell portion 1300coupled thereto. FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of golf club head1000. FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of golf club head1000 without shell portion 1300 (FIGS. 1-2) at body opening 1190.

In the present example, golf club head 1000 comprises head body 1100bounding a portion of interior cavity 1200, and also comprises shellportion 1300 coupled to head body 1100 at body opening 1190. Bodyopening 1190 provides an aperture at sole portion 1110 of head body 1100to interior cavity 1200, but there can be other embodiments where bodyopening 1190 could be located at other portions of head body 1100, suchas at crown portion 1120, front portion 1130, rear portion 1140, and/orskirt portion 2150 (FIG. 2), to receive thereat respective shellportions similar to shell portion 1300.

Golf club head 1000 also comprises weight member 1400 coupled to shellportion 1300 via bracket 1310, where bracket 1310 comprises cavity 4370(FIG. 4) complementary to the shape of weight member 1400. In thepresent example, a density of weight member 1400 is greater than adensity of bracket 1310 and greater than a density of shell portion1300, such that weight member 1400 will permit adjustment of a center ofgravity of golf club head 1000 when coupled to head body 1100. Weightmember 1400 and bracket 1310 are fully contained within interior cavity1200, such as to maintain the exterior view aspect of golf club head1000 if desired. There may be other embodiments, however, where bracket1310 could instead face forwards or be exposed at an exterior of golfclub head 1000 and/or couple weight member 1400 externally to golf clubhead 1000. Bracket 1310 can be integral with or non-integral with shellportion 1300.

Weight member 1400 can comprise a material with a weld-aversecharacteristic that can be substantially non-weldable to a material ofhead body 1100. For instance, the weld-averse characteristic can entaila propensity for becoming brittle or for cracking after welding orbrazing. In one example, weight member 1400 can comprise a tungstenmaterial, a nickel material, a cadmium material, a copper material, agold material, and/or another high density material, where suchmaterial(s) may be substantially pure, dense alloys thereof, orcomposites thereof, and/or where such materials can comprise a specificgravity greater than approximately 14, such as a specific gravity ofapproximately 18-20. In one example, one such composite material cancomprise a metal-infused plastic and/or resin, such as an infusedthermoplastic urethane material having tungsten, nickel, cadmium,copper, gold, and/or other dense metal particles. In the same or otherembodiments, a material of shell portion 1300 and/or a material of headbody 1100, such as at perimeter 2191 (FIG. 2) of body opening 1190, maycomprise a lower density material, such as a steel material or atitanium material, that would be substantially incompatible for reliablywelding or brazing with the material of weight member 1400. In light ofthe above, bracket 1310 is configured to secure weight member 1400 inplace at shell portion 1300 in a non-welded and non-brazed manner, whereshell portion 1300 can be welded or brazed to head body 1100 atperimeter 2191 (FIGS. 2-3) of body opening 1190. In the present example,bracket 1310 comprises malleable lip 1311 to secure weight member 1400in place, as further described below, and is thus configured to secureweight member 1400 to shell portion 1300 without the need to rely onscrew(s), adhesive(s), rivet(s), welding, or brazing. In this presentexample, weight member 1400 is coupled or secured to shell portion 1300only by using malleable lip 1311 to physically keep weight member 1400against shell portion 1300.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of weight member 1400prior to coupling to bracket 1310 of shell portion 1300. FIG. 5illustrates a side cross-sectional view of weight member 1400 secured tobracket 1310 after swedging by press 5500. In the present example,weight member 1400 comprises shell end 4410 configured to face shellportion 1300, and interior end 4420 opposite shell end 4410 andconfigured to face interior cavity 1200 (FIG. 1) of golf club head 1000(FIG. 1) when shell portion 1300 is coupled to body opening 1190 (FIG.1). As seen in FIG. 4, malleable lip 1311 is initially upright to permitweight member 1400 to be inserted into bracket 1300, but as seen in FIG.5, is configured to fold over at least a portion of a perimeter ofinterior end 4420 of weight member 1400 to thereby secure weight member1400 to shell portion 1300.

Returning to FIG. 4, interior end 4420 of weight member 1400 alsocomprises interior end surface 4421 and chamfer transition 4425 betweeninterior end surface 4421 and weight sidewall 4450 of weight member1400. As seen in FIG. 5, malleable lip 1311 of bracket 1310 isconfigured to substantially conform to a shape complementary to chamfertransition 4425 when pressed by press 5500 against weight member 1400.Chamfer transition 4425 thus allows malleable lip 1311 to engage andsecure weight member 1400 without placing undue stress on bracket 1300and/or weight member 1400, and permits malleable lip 1311 to conform toa predetermined thickness and shape to remain structurally sound whenpushed and deformed by press 5500 to permit proper securing of weightmember 1400. In the present example, malleable lip 1311 of bracket 1310is configured to fold over across an entirety of the perimeter ofinterior end 4420 of weight member 1400. In this example, chamfertransition 4425 also extends across an entirety of the perimeter ofinterior end 4420 of weight member 1400. There can be other embodiments,however, where malleable lip 1311 can be subdivide into several separatelips, which could each fold over respective portions of the perimeter ofinterior end 4420 of weight member 1400. There can also be otherembodiments where chamfer transition 4425 could be entirely or partiallyabsent from weight member 1400, such that malleable lip 1311 would folddirectly over part of interior end surface 4421 of weight member 1400when pushed and deformed by press 5500.

In the present embodiment of FIG. 5, shell portion 1300 is shown pressedby press 5500 against die 5600, where die 5600 is configured to shapeshell exterior 1320 of shell portion 1300 to a predetermined shape. Thepredetermined shape imparted to shell exterior 1320 by die 5600 can beconfigured to match a contour of head body 1100, and/or to align aperimeter of shell portion 1300 for proper bonding with perimeter 2191(FIGS. 2-3) of body opening 1190 (FIGS. 2-3). In some examples, press5500 can comprise a 60-120 ton press. In the same or other examples,shell exterior 1320 can be shaped to its predetermined shape against die5600 concurrently as press 5500 compresses malleable lip 1311 againstweight member 1400.

Weight member 1400 can be configured to remain substantially undeformedin the present embodiment when malleable lip 1311 of bracket 1310 ispushed against it by press 5500. In some examples, the chamfertransition 4425 can permit better distribution of compression stressesfrom press 5500 as malleable lip 1131 is compressed over interior end4420 of weight member 1400. In the same or other examples, the structureand/or density of the material of weight member 1400 is resilient enoughto withstand deformation and/or structural degradation from press 5500,where such strength characteristics would not be otherwise possible ifweight member 1400 were limited to comprising instead a weaker or lessdense alloy suitable for welding or brazing to body 1100 (FIG. 1).

Because of the use of bracket 1310 and shell portion 1300, weight member1400 can have a high density notwithstanding its weld-aversecharacteristics with respect to the material of body 1100. Such highdensity can permit a volume and thickness 1490 (FIG. 4) of weight member1400 to be minimized for more precise location and adjustment of one ormore characteristics of golf club head 1000.

In light of the above, in one example, such as for a fairway-wood-typeclub head similar to golf club head 1000, weight member 1400 cancomprise a mass of approximately 25 grams to 125 grams, a volume lessthan approximately 15 cc, and/or a thickness less than of approximately6.4 mm. In such an example, the golf club head 1000 can comprise avolume of approximately 110 cc to approximately 250 cc, and/or a mass ofapproximately 200 grams to approximately 240 grams. Additionally, forsuch examples, weight member 1400 can comprise a weight mass of at leastapproximately 9.5% of the mass of golf club head 1000, and/or a weightvolume of at most approximately 14% of the volume of golf club head1000.

In another example, such as for a driver-type club head otherwisesimilar to golf club head 1000, a weight member similar to weight member1400 can comprise a mass of approximately 15 grams to 60 grams, a volumeless than approximately 12 cc, and/or a thickness less than ofapproximately 5.5 mm. In such an example, the golf club head 1000 cancomprise a volume of approximately 300 cc to approximately 600 cc,and/or a mass or approximately 170 grams to approximately 230 grams.Additionally, for such examples, the weight member can comprise a weightmass of at least approximately 3% of the mass of golf club head 1000,and/or a weight volume of at most approximately 5% of the volume of golfclub head 1000.

In another example, such as for a hybrid-type club head otherwisesimilar to golf club head 1000, a weight member similar to weight member1400 can comprise a mass of approximately 30 grams to 140 grams, avolume less than approximately 20 cc, and/or a thickness less than ofapproximately 8.5 mm. In such an example, the golf club head 1000 cancomprise a volume of approximately 70 cc to approximately 200 cc, and/ora mass or approximately 210 grams to approximately 260 grams.Additionally, for such examples, the weight member can comprise a weightmass of at least approximately 12% of the mass of golf club head 1000,and/or a weight volume of at most approximately 30% of the volume ofgolf club head 1000.

Considering the above and returning to FIG. 1, because the thicknessand/or volume of weight member 1400 is minimized, compared with anotherweight member made of a less dense material or alloy, more of the massof weight member 1400 will be closer to shell exterior 1320 of shellportion 1300, thereby permitting greater adjustment of a center ofgravity of golf club head 1000 than would be possible with a weldablebut less dense weight member.

In one example, such as for a fairway-wood-type club head similar togolf club head 1000, center of gravity 1510 of golf club head 1000 canbe adjusted by weight member 1400, from non-adjusted center of gravitylocation 1511 to adjusted center of gravity location 1512, byapproximately 0.38 mm to approximately 0.9 mm towards sole portion 1110.Center of gravity 1510 can is also adjusted towards front portion 1130in the present example, where such adjustment can enhance the launchcharacteristics of the fairway-wood-type club head by reducing theamount of clubhead rotation that takes place during the impact with agolf ball. By reducing the clubhead rotation, more of the kinetic energyof the club can be transferred to the golf ball, which can lead tohigher ball velocity and reduced backspin for increased distance and/oraccuracy.

In another example, such as for a driver-type club head otherwisesimilar to golf club head 1000, the center of gravity of the driver-typeclub head can be adjusted towards its sole by weight member 1400 byapproximately 0.25 mm to approximately 0.80 mm. In another example, suchas for a hybrid-type club head otherwise similar to golf club head 1000(FIG. 1), the center of gravity of the hybrid-type club head can beadjusted towards its sole by weight member 1400 by approximately 0.40 mmto approximately 1.2 mm.

Although in the present example shell portion 1300 and weight member1400 are shown in FIGS. 1-2 located towards sole portion 1110 and frontportion 1130 of head body 1100, there can be other embodiments whereshell portion 1300 and weight member 1400 could be located towards otherportions of head body 1100, such as towards crown portion 1120, rearportion 1140, and/or skirt portion 2150 depending on the feature orcharacteristic of golf club head 1000 desired to be adjusted. Inaddition, although shell portion 1300 is shown as comprising a portionof sole portion 1110, there can be other embodiments where shell portion1300 comprises substantially all, and/or an entirety of, sole portion1110. Furthermore, although weight member 1400 (FIGS. 1-2, 4-5), bracketcavity 4370 (FIG. 4), and shell portion 1300 (FIGS. 1-2, 4-5) are shownas comprising substantially circular shapes, there can be otherembodiments where weight member 1400, bracket cavity 4370, and/or shellportion 1300 can comprise other shapes such as rectangular shapes,pentagonal shapes, shield shapes, and/or shapes tailored to conform to acontour of at least part of golf club head 1000.

After weight member 1400 has been secured via malleable lip 1311 tobracket 1310, as described above, shell portion 1300 can be coupled tobody opening 1190 to seal interior cavity 1200 of golf club head 1000.For instance, shell portion 1300 can be secured to perimeter 2191 (FIG.2) of body opening 1190 (FIGS. 1-3) via welding or brazing, such as withweld bead 1610 (FIG. 1). In the present example, for a better bond, weldbead 1610 couples shell portion 1300 to body opening 1190 throughout atotal thickness of the perimeter of shell portion 1300 (FIGS. 1-2) atbody opening 1190.

In the present example, bracket 1310 and shell portion 1300 can comprisethe same material, both being cast, forged, or otherwise formed from asingle piece of the same material. Also in the present example, shellportion 1300 can comprises the same material as used to form perimeter2191 (FIG. 2) of body opening 1190, such as a titanium material, a steelmaterial, and/or a zirconium material. Accordingly, shell portion 1300can be readily welded or brazed to perimeter 2191 of body opening 1190.There also can be examples where shell portion 1300 can comprise amaterial with a density greater than the density of head body 1100, suchas a tungsten alloy with a specific gravity approximately 10 to 12,configured to be welded or brazed to perimeter 2191 (FIG. 2) of bodyopening 1190.

Continuing with the figures, FIG. 6 illustrates a side cross-sectionalview of golf club head 6000. Golf club head 6000 can be similar to golfclub head 1000 (FIGS. 1-3), but comprises shell portion 6300 instead ofshell portion 1300 (FIGS. 1-2, 4-5). Shell portion 6300 can be similarto shell portion 1300. For example shell portion 6300 can comprisedimensions similar to those shown or described with respect to shellportion 1300 (FIGS. 1-2, 4-5). In addition, shell portion 6300 can belocated to comprise at least a portion of, and/or an entirety of, one ormore portions of head body 1100, such as sole portion 1110, crownportion 1120, front portion 1130, rear portion 1140, and/or the skirtportion.

Shell portion 6300 differs from shell portion 1300, however, withrespect to the way weight member 1400 couples to shell portion 6300.Whereas shell portion 1300 relied on bracket 1310 and malleable lip 1311to secure weight member 1400 in FIGS. 1-5, shell portion 6300 comprisesweight member 1400 encapsulated between shell sheet 6310 and shell sheet6320. In the present example, shell portion 6300 comprises: (a) shellsheet 6310 having a side thereof facing interior cavity 1200, and (b)shell sheet 6320 opposite shell sheet 6310 and having a side thereoffacing towards an exterior of shell portion 6300, where capsule 6370 isdefined between shell sheets 6310 and 6320 to contain weight member1400. The density of weight member 1400 is greater than the density ofeither of shell sheets 6310 and 6320 of shell portion 6300.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of weight member 1400prior to encapsulation within shell portion 6300. FIG. 8 illustrates aside cross-sectional view of weight member 1400 after encapsulationwithin shell portion 6300 by press 7500 and die 8500. Shell sheet 6310comprises shell sheet capsule section 7311 defining a portion of capsule6370, and shell sheet periphery section 7312 bounding shell sheetcapsule section 7311. Shell sheet 6320 comprises shell sheet capsulesection 7321 defining a portion of capsule 6370, and shell sheetperiphery section 7322 bounding shell sheet capsule section 7321. Whenshell sheets 6310 and 6320 are pressed against each other by press 7500to encapsulate weight member 1400, shell sheet capsule section 7311 ofshell sheet 6310 is stamped over weight member 1400 to conform to ashape thereof. As a result, capsule 6370 is thus defined and boundedbetween shell sheet capsule sections 7311 and 7321, and shell sheetperiphery sections 7321 and 7322 are brought together to seal weightmember 1400 within capsule 6370, where shell sheet periphery section7312 conforms to shell sheet periphery section 7322 in the presentexample. In some examples, weight member 1400 can be configured toremain substantially undeformed when shell sheet 6310 is stamped overit. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, shell sheets 6310 and/or 6320 neednot completely conform to the shape of weight member 1400, and one ormore capsule voids 6371 can remain within capsule 6373 after weightmember 1400 is securely encapsulated therein. There can be otherexamples, however, where weight member 1400 can be configured to deformwhen shell sheet 6310 is stamped over weight member 1400, so that shellsheet 6310 can better conform to the shape of weight member 1400 and/orto minimize the volume of one or more of capsule voids 6371.

Die 8600 (FIG. 8) is similar to die 5600 (FIG. 5), and is configured toimpart a predetermined shape to the exterior of shell sheet 6320,similar to the predetermined shape described above for shell exterior1320 (FIG. 5), when shell portion 6300 is pressed between press 7500 anddie 8600 (FIG. 8). In other examples, however, shell sheets 6310 and/or6320 may be separately pre-shaped prior to being coupled together, andcould then be brought together around weight member 1400 without press7500.

Once cavity 6370 has been defined around weight member 1400, shell sheetperiphery sections 7312 and 7322 can be secured to each other ifdesired, such as by spot-welding, prior to coupling shell portion 1300to body opening 1190. In addition, because the shape of capsule 6370between shell sheets 6310 and 6311 conforms to the shape of weightmember 1400, weight member 1400 can thus be secured to shell portion6300 without having to rely on welding, brazing, screws, rivets, oradhesives. In this present example, weight member 1400 is coupled orsecured to shell portion 6300 only by using shell portion 6300 itself(and optionally, spot welding, etc. for shell portion 6300).

With weight member 1400 encapsulated within cavity 6370 between shellsheets 6310 and 6320 as described above, shell portion 6300 can becoupled to body opening 1190 of head body 1100 as seen in FIG. 6, and asdescribed above with respect to shell portion 1300 (FIGS. 1-3). In someexamples, if welding or brazing shell portion 6300 to body opening 1190,such as via weld bead 1610, a total thickness of the perimeter of eachof shell sheets 6310 and 6320 can be welded or brazed to the perimeterof body opening 1190 for a better bond and/or to further secure shellsheet periphery sections 7312 and 7322 to each other. Once shell portion6300 is secured to body opening 1190, shell sheet 6310, weight member1400, and capsule 6370 can be fully internal to interior cavity 1200 ofgolf club head 6000 in the present embodiment.

In some examples, the material, mass, thickness, and/or volume forweight member 1400 as used in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 can be similarto one or more of those described above with respect to the embodimentof FIGS. 1-5. In the same or other examples, the material(s) of shellsheets 6310 and/or 6320 of shell portion 6300 can be similar to thosedescribed above with respect to shell portion 1300 (FIGS. 1-2, 4-5).

In the same or other examples, a center of gravity of golf club head6000 may be adjusted by weight member 1400 and/or shell portion 6300 asdescribed above with respect to the center of gravity 1510 of golf clubhead 1000 (FIG. 1). The mass, volume, and thickness ranges describedearlier for golf club head 1000 (FIG. 1) can also apply here to golfclub head 6000.

Shell sheets 6310 and 6320 may comprise the same materials or differentmaterials, depending on the embodiment. For instance, the material(s)for shell sheets 6310 and/or 6320 can comprise steel, titanium,zirconium, alloys thereof, and/or other weldable alloys such as aweldable tungsten nickel alloy. In some examples, to better conform tothe shape of weight member 1400 when pressed by press 7500 (FIG. 7),shell sheet 6310 may be configured to comprise greater deformabilitythan shell sheet 6320. For instance, the material of shell sheet 6310can be less dense, more ductile, and/or more malleable than the materialof shell sheet 6320. In the same or other embodiments, the thickness ofshell sheet 6310 can be configured to be less than the thickness ofshell sheet 6320 to better conform to the shape of weight member 1400.The thickness of shell sheet 6310 and/or shell sheet 6320 can be of atleast approximately 4.5 mm in some implementations to permit properwelding via weld bead 1610.

There can also be other embodiments where, after encapsulation, weightmember 1400 could still be not fully enclosed within shell portion 6300,and or where weight member 1400 can still be visible from an exterior ofgolf club head 6000. As an example, FIG. 9 illustrates a portion of golfclub head 9000 comprising body 1100 and shell portion 9300 coupledthereto along with encapsulated weight member 9400. Shell portion 9300can be similar to shell portion 1300 (FIGS. 4-5) and/or to shell portion6300 (FIGS. 6-8), but comprises passageway or port hole 9321 at shellsheet 9320 through which weight member 9400 can be seen from an exteriorof golf club head 9000. In the present example, weight member 9400 issimilar to weight member 1400 (FIGS. 1, 4-8), and shell sheet 9320comprises lip 9322 to prevent weight member 9400 from dislodging fromcapsule 6370 through port hole 9321. Weight member 9400 also occupies atleast a portion of the volume of port hole 9321 in the present example,where port hole 9321 thereby permits more of the dense material ofweight member 9400 to be closer to the exterior of shell portion 9300for greater adjustment of the center of gravity or other characteristicsof golf club head 9000. Again, no welding, brazing, screws, rivets, oradhesives are used to couple or secure weight member 9400 to shellportion 9300. In this present example, weight member 9400 is coupled orsecured to shell portion 9300 only by using shell portion 9300 itself(and optionally, spot welding, etc. for shell portion 9300).

In another embodiment, FIG. 10 illustrates a side cross-sectional viewof weight member 1400 encapsulated within shell portion 10300. Shellportion 10300 can be similar to one or more of shell portion 1300 (FIGS.1-2, 4-5), shell portion 6300 (FIGS. 6-8), and/or shell portion 9300(FIG. 9). In the present example, however, shell portion 10300 isconfigured to be cast within mold 10600, where the material of shellportion 10300 can be introduced in liquid form to encapsulate andconform once hardened as a single piece of material to the shape ofweight member 1400 therewithin. Weight member 1400 can be held in placewithin mold 10600 by one or more stands 10900, such as stands 10910 and10920, while the material of shell portion 10300 hardens. In someexamples, the one or more stands 10900 can be part of, or protrude from,weight member 1400 or mold 10600. Again, no welding, brazing, screws,rivets, or adhesives are used to couple or secure weight member 1400 toshell portion 10300. In this present example, weight member 1400 iscoupled or secured to shell portion 10300 only by using shell portion10300 itself.

Moving on, FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart for a method 11000, which canbe used to provide, form, and/or manufacture a golf club head with aweighted shell portion in accordance with the present disclosure. Insome examples, the golf club head can be similar to one or more of thegolf club heads described herein. The weighted shell portion can besimilar to one or more of the shell portions described herein, such asshell portion 1300 (FIGS. 1-2, 4-5), shell portion 6300 (FIGS. 6-8),shell portion 9300 (FIG. 9), and/or shell portion 10300 (FIG. 10).

Method 11000 comprises block 11100 for providing a head body of the golfclub head. In some examples, the head body can be similar to a head bodyof one of the embodiments described above, such as head body 1100 (FIGS.1-3, 6, 9). Although, in the figures above, head body 1100 isillustrated as a fairway-wood type golf club head body, the disclosureherein is not limited in that respect. For example, the head body couldcomprise a driver-type head body, a hybrid-type head body, an iron-typeor wedge-type head body, or a putter-type head body in someimplementations.

Block 11200 of method 11000 comprises providing a weight member. In someexamples, the weight member can be similar to weight member 1400 asdescribed above with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8 and 10, toweight member 9400 in the embodiment of FIG. 9, and/or to other similarweight members. The density of the weight member can be configured to begreater than the density of any other portion of the golf club head. Insome examples, the weight member can comprise a material similar tothose described above for weight member 1400, with a density greaterthan approximately 14. For instance, the weight member can comprise amaterial with a specific gravity of approximately 18 to approximately20.

Block 11300 of method 11000 comprises providing a shell portionconfigured to couple with a body opening of the head body. In someexamples, the shell portion can be similar to one or more of the shellportions described above, such as shell portion 1300 (FIGS. 1-2, 4-5),shell portion 6300 (FIGS. 6-8), shell portion 9300 (FIG. 9), and/orshell portion 10300 (FIG. 10). The shell portion can be configured tocouple the weight member of block 11200 to the head body of block 11100.Blocks 11100, 11200, and 11300 can be performed in any sequence and/orsimultaneously with each other.

In some embodiments, the shell portion can be similar to shell portion1300 (FIGS. 1-2, 4-5), comprising an interior side configured to face aninterior cavity of the head body, such as cavity 1200 of head body 1100(FIG. 1). A bracket with a malleable lip, which can be similar tobracket 1310 with malleable lip 1311 (FIGS. 1, 4-5), can be providedcoupled to the interior side of the shell portion. The shell portion andthe bracket may comprise a single piece of the same material, and/or maybe formed concurrently in some embodiments. In another embodiment, theshell portion can be similar to shell portion 6300 (FIGS. 6-8) and/orshell portion 9300 (FIG. 9), comprising a first shell sheet similar toshell sheet 6310 configured to face the interior cavity of the shellbody, and a second shell sheet similar to shell sheet 6320 (FIG. 6) orshell sheet 9320 (FIG. 20), where the first and second shell sheets canbe configured to define a capsule therebetween to contain the weightmember of block 11200. In another embodiment, the shell portion, such asshell portion 10300 (FIG. 10), can be provided to be cast around theweight member of block 11200.

Next, block 11400 of method 11000 comprises coupling the weight memberto the shell portion. In some examples, the weight member can be coupledto the shell portion as described above for one or more of theembodiments described with respect to FIGS. 1-10. In some examples, theshell portion can comprise a material similar to those described abovewith respect to shell portion 1300 (FIGS. 1-2, 4-5), to which thematerial of the weight member of block 11200 would be hard to reliablyweld or braze. Accordingly, the shell portion can be configured tosecure the weight member to the shell portion by welding or brazing theweight member. In addition, in the same or other examples, the weightmember can be secured to the shell portion in a non-screwed,non-riveted, and non-adhesive manner for better reliability, durability,and resistance to impact stresses.

For instance, the weight member can be coupled to the shell portion byinserting the weight member into a bracket similar to bracket 1310(FIGS. 1, 4-5), and can be secured thereto by compressing a malleablelip against an interior end of the weight member, similar to malleablelip 1311 as compressed against the interior end 4420 of weight member1400 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5.

In another example, the weight member can be coupled to the shellportion by encapsulation between two shell sheets, such as shell sheets6310 and 6320 (FIGS. 6-8), or such as shell sheets 6310 and 9320 (FIG.9). In the same or other examples, such encapsulation can be made bycompressing and/or stamping the shell sheets against the weight memberusing a press and/or a die similar to press 7500 and/or die 8600 (FIGS.7-8). There also can be other examples where one or more of the shellsheets can be pre-stamped or pre-formed with respect to the shape of theweight member prior to being coupled together to encapsulate the weightmember. In another example, the weight member can be coupled to theshell portion by casting the material of the shell portion in liquidform around the weight member using a mold, and then hardening thematerial of the shell portion to encapsulate the weight member, asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 10.

Next, block 11500 of method 11000 comprises coupling the shell portionof block 11300 to a body opening of the head body of block 11100. Insome embodiments, the body opening of the head body can be similar tobody opening 1190 (FIGS. 1, 3) of head body 1100, but there can be otherembodiments where the body opening can be located elsewhere besides atthe sole of the golf club head, such as towards a crown portion, a rearportion, and/or a front portion of the golf club head. In the same orother embodiments, the shell portion can be secured to a perimeter ofthe body opening by welding or brazing, as described above with respectto the coupling of one or more of the shell portions described in FIGS.1-10 to perimeter 2191 of body opening 1190 (FIGS. 2-3). Although insome examples a material of the shell portion of block 11300 can be thesame as that of the head body of block 11100 at the perimeter of thebody opening thereof, there can be other embodiments where the materialof the shell portion can be more dense than the material of the headbody while still remaining weldable or brazeable thereto. In someembodiments, a shell exterior of the shell portion can be configured,via a die, a mold, or other suitable mechanism, to match a contour ofthe head body when coupled thereto in block 11500.

Because of the high density of the weight member of block 11200permitted by the use of the shell portion of block 11300, a mass of theweight member can be maximized while minimizing the volume or thicknessof the weight member for more precise location and dramatic adjustmentof a center of gravity or other characteristics of the golf club head ofmethod 11000. In some examples, the mass and volume relationshipsbetween the weight member of block 11200 and the golf club head ofmethod 11000 can be similar to those described above with respect toweight member 1400 and the golf club heads of FIGS. 1-10). In addition,the location of the center of gravity of the golf club head of method11000 can be adjusted by the weight member of block 11200 similar to theadjustments described above for the golf club heads of FIGS. 1-10 byweight members 1400 and 9400.

In some examples, one or more of the different blocks of method 11000can be combined into a single block or performed simultaneously, and/orthe sequence of such blocks can be changed. For example, in someembodiments, two or more of blocks 11100, 11200, or 11300 may becombined if desired. In the same or other examples, some of the blocksof method 11000 can be subdivided into several sub-blocks. As anexample, block 11100 may be subdivided with respect to providing and/orcoupling together several portions of the head body, such as forcoupling a face plate to the front portion of the head body. There canalso be examples where method 11000 can comprise further or differentblocks. As an example, method 11000 may comprise another block forpolishing the junction between the shell portion and the body opening toconform to an external contour of the golf club head.

In addition, there may be examples where method 11000 can comprise onlypart of the steps described above. For instance, method 11000 maycomprise only blocks 11200-11400, without having to provide the headbody in block 11100 and without having to provide the golf club head incompleted form. Other variations can be implemented for method 11000without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Although the golf club weight attachment mechanisms and related methodsherein have been described with reference to specific embodiments,various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof the present disclosure. As an example, there may be embodiments wherethe weight attachment mechanisms described herein can be implemented iniron-type, wedge-type, and/or putter-type golf club heads having aninterior cavity configured to accommodate a shell portion and a weightmember similar to those described herein. Additional examples of suchchanges and others have been given in the foregoing description. Otherpermutations of the different embodiments having one or more of thefeatures of the various figures are likewise contemplated. Accordingly,the specification, claims, and drawings herein are intended to beillustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to belimiting. It is intended that the scope of this application shall belimited only to the extent required by the appended claims.

The golf club weight attachment mechanisms and related methods discussedherein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoingdiscussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarilyrepresent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather,the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves,disclose at least one preferred embodiment, and may disclose alternativeembodiments.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to theembodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacementof one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and notrepair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions toproblems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elementsthat may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or becomemore pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required,or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unlesssuch benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly statedin such claims.

As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulationsmay be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golfstandard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United StatesGolf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews(R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, andarticles of manufacture described herein may be conforming ornon-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly,golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/orsold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus,methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited inthis regard.

While the above examples may be described mostly in connection withfairgay-wood type golf club heads, the apparatus, methods, and articlesof manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golfclub such as a driver-type golf club, an iron-type golf club, awedge-type golf club, or a putter-type golf club. Alternatively, theapparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may beapplicable other type of sports equipment such as a hockey stick, atennis racket, a fishing pole, a ski pole, etc.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A golf club head comprising: a head bodyselected from a group of golf club heads consisting of a fairway-woodtype head, a driver-type head, and a hybrid-type head, the head bodybounding an interior cavity and comprising a body opening; a shellportion configured to couple to the body opening; and a weight memberencapsulated within the shell portion; wherein: the shell portioncomprises: first and second shell sides opposite each other; and acapsule defined between the first and second shell sides and containingthe weight member; a density of the weight member is greater than adensity of the shell portion and a density of the head body; the firstshell side, the capsule, and the weight member, are internal to theinterior cavity; when encapsulated, the weight member is configured toremain substantially within the capsule of the shell portion; the shellportion comprises at least a portion of a sole of the golf club head,and is located closer to a front portion of the head body than a rearportion of the head body; the weight member comprises: a weight mass; aweight thickness of: less than approximately 6.4 mm if the golf clubhead comprises the fairway-wood-type head; less than approximately 5.5mm if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head; or less thanapproximately 8.5 mm if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-typehead; a weight volume of: less than approximately 15 cc if the golf clubhead comprises the fairway-wood-type head; less than approximately 12 ccif the golf club head comprises the driver-type head; or less thanapproximately 20 cc if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-typehead; a specific gravity of approximately 18 to 20; and at least one of:a tungsten material; a nickel material; a cadmium material; a coppermaterial; or a metal-infused plastic material; the shell portioncomprises at least one of: a steel material; or a titanium material; theweight member adjusts a center of gravity of the golf club head: atleast 0.38 mm towards the sole if the golf club head comprises thefairway-wood-type head; at least 0.25 mm towards the sole if the golfclub head comprises the driver-type head; or at least 0.4 mm towards thesole if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head; the weightmass is: at least approximately 9.5% of a mass of the golf club head ifthe golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head; at leastapproximately 3% of the mass of the golf club head if the golf club headcomprises the driver-type head; or at least approximately 12% of themass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises thehybrid-type head; and the weight volume is: at most approximately 14% ofa volume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises thefairway-wood-type head; at most approximately 5% of the volume of thegolf club head if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head; orat most approximately 30% of the volume of the golf club head if thegolf club head comprises the hybrid-type head.
 2. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein: the first and second shell sides are integral witheach other.
 3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein: the shell portioncomprises: a first shell sheet comprising: the first shell side of theshell portion; a first shell sheet capsule section of the capsule; and afirst shell sheet periphery section bounding the first shell sheetcapsule section; a second shell sheet comprising; the second shell sideof the shell portion; a second shell sheet capsule section of thecapsule; and a second shell sheet periphery section bounding the secondshell sheet capsule section; the weight member is non-weldedly,non-brazedly, non-screwedly, non-rivetedly, and non-adhesively coupledto the shell portion; the first and second shell sheet capsule sectionsdefine the capsule and contain the weight member therebetween; the firstand second shell sheet periphery sections are at least one of welded orbrazed to each other; the second shell sheet comprises a shapeconforming to an exterior surface of the sole; the first shell sheetcapsule section comprises a shape conformed to a weight shape of theweight member; the first shell sheet periphery section is conformed tothe second shell sheet periphery section; the first and second shellsheet periphery sections are welded to a perimeter of the body openingthroughout a total thickness of the first shell sheet and a totalthickness of the second shell sheet; and the first shell sheet comprisesat least one of: a thickness thinner than a thickness of the secondshell sheet; or a first shell material with at least one of greaterductility or greater malleability than a second Shell material of thesecond shell sheet.
 4. A golf club head comprising: a head body selectedfrom a group of golf club heads consisting of a fairway-wood type head,a driver-type head, and a hybrid-type head, the head body bounding aninterior cavity and comprising a body opening; a shell portionconfigured to couple to the body opening; and a weight memberencapsulated within the shell portion; wherein: the shell portioncomprises: a first shell side; a second shell side opposite the firstshell side; and a capsule defined between the first and second shellsides and containing the weight member; a first shell sheet comprising:the first shell side of the shell portion; a first shell sheet capsulesection of the capsule; and a first shell sheet periphery sectionbounding the first shell sheet capsule section; a second shell sheetcomprising; the second shell side of the shell portion; a second shellsheet capsule section of the capsule; and a second shell sheet peripherysection bounding the second shell sheet capsule section; the first andsecond shell sheet capsule sections define the capsule and contain theweight member therebetween; the first and second shell sheet peripherysections are secured to each other; the second shell sheet comprises ashape conforming to an exterior surface of the head body; the firstshell sheet capsule section comprises a shape conformed to a weightshape of the weight member; the first shell sheet periphery section isconformed to the second shell sheet periphery section; the first andsecond shell sheet periphery sections are secured to an entire perimeterof the body opening throughout a total thickness of the first shellsheet and a total thickness of the second shell sheet; and a density ofthe weight member is greater than a density of the shell portion.
 5. Thegolf club head of claim 4, wherein: the weight member is non-weldedly,non-brazedly, non-screwedly, non-rivetedly, and non-adhesively coupledto the shell portion.
 6. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein: thefirst shell side, the capsule, and the weight member, are internal tothe interior cavity.
 7. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein: theshell portion comprises a shell material; and the first and second shellsides comprise the shell material.
 8. The golf club head of claim 7,wherein: a thickness of the first shell sheet is thinner than athickness of the second shell sheet.
 9. The golf club head of claim 4,wherein: the density of the shell portion is greater than a density ofthe head body at a perimeter of the body opening.
 10. The golf club headof claim 4, wherein: the first and second shell sheet periphery sectionsare secured together only at portions of their respective perimeters.11. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein: the first and second shellsheets are integral with each other.
 12. The golf club head of claim 4,wherein: the shell portion comprises at least a portion of a sole of thegolf club head.
 13. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein: the weightmember comprises: a specific gravity greater than approximately 14; andat least one of: a tungsten material; a nickel material; or ametal-infused plastic material; and the shell portion comprises at leastone of: a steel material; or a titanium material.
 14. The golf club headof claim 4, wherein: the weight member comprises: a weight thickness of:less than approximately 6.4 mm if the golf club head comprises thefairway-wood-type head; less than approximately 5.5 mm if the golf clubhead comprises the driver-type head; or less than approximately 8.5 mmif the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head; and a weightvolume of: less than approximately 15 cc if the golf club head comprisesthe fairway-wood-type head; less than approximately 12 cc if the golfclub head comprises the driver-type head; or less than approximately 20cc if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head; and the weightmember adjusts a center of gravity of the golf club head: at least 0.38mm towards a sole of the golf club head if the golf club head comprisesthe fairway-wood-type head; at least 0.25 mm towards the sole if thegolf club head comprises the driver-type head; or at least 0.4 mmtowards the sole if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head.15. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein: the weight member comprisesa weight volume and a weight mass; the weight mass is: at leastapproximately 9.5% of a mass of the golf club head if the golf club headcomprises the fairway-wood-type head; at least approximately 3% of themass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises thedriver-type head; or at least approximately 12% of the mass of the golfclub head if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head; and theweight volume is: at most approximately 14% of a volume of the golf clubhead if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head; at mostapproximately 5% of the volume of the golf club head if the golf clubhead comprises the driver-type head; or at most approximately 30% of thevolume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises thehybrid-type head.
 16. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein: the firstshell side comprises a first shell material of one of: a steel material,a titanium material, a zirconium material, or a tungsten nickel alloymaterial; the second shell side comprises a second shell material of adifferent one of: the steel material, the titanium material, thezirconium material, or the tungsten nickel alloy material; and the firstshell material comprises at least one of greater ductility or greatermalleability than the second shell material.
 17. A method for making agolf club head, the method comprising: providing a head body of the golfclub head selected from a group of golf club heads consisting of afairway-wood type head, a driver-type head, and a hybrid-type head;providing a weight member; providing a shell portion configured tocouple with a body opening of the head body; coupling the weight memberto the shell portion; and coupling the shell portion to the bodyopening; wherein: providing the shell portion comprises: providing afirst shell side configured to face an interior cavity of the head body;providing a second shell side opposite the first shell side; providing acapsule between the first and second shell sides to contain the weightmember; providing a first shell sheet comprising: the first shell sideof the shell portion; a first shell sheet capsule section of thecapsule; and a first shell sheet periphery section bounding the firstshell sheet capsule section: providing a second shell sheet comprising;the second shell side of the shell portion: a second shell sheet capsulesection of the capsule; and a second shell sheet periphery sectionbounding the second shell sheet capsule section; providing a density ofthe shell portion to be greater than a density of the head body at aperimeter of the body opening; coupling the weight member to the shellportion comprises: coupling the weight member between the first andsecond shell sides in a non-welded, non-brazed, non-screwed,non-riveted, and non-adhesive manner; coupling the shell portion to thebody opening comprises: welding the first and second shell sheets to theperimeter of the body opening throughout a total thickness of aperimeter of the first shell sheet and a perimeter of the second shellsheet; and a density of the weight member is greater than a density ofthe shell portion.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein: coupling theweight member to the shell portion comprises: casting the shell portionaround the weight member such that the first and second shell sides areintegral with each other.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein: couplingthe weight member to the shell portion comprises: stamping the firstshell sheet over the weight member to conform the first shell sheetcapsule section to a weight shape of the weight member; and conforming ashape of the first shell sheet periphery section to the second shellsheet periphery section; defining the capsule between the first andsecond shell sheet capsule sections to contain the weight membertherebetween; and securing the first and second shell sheet peripherysections to each other.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein: providingthe shell portion comprises: providing at least one of: a thickness ofthe first shell sheet thinner than a thickness of the second shellsheet; or a first shell material of the first shell sheet with at leastone of greater ductility or greater malleability than a second shellmaterial of the second shell sheet.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein:providing the weight member comprises: providing the weight member tocomprise: a specific gravity greater than approximately 14; a weightthickness of: less than approximately 6.4 mm if the golf club headcomprises the fairway-wood-type head; less than approximately 5.5 mm ifthe golf club head comprises the driver-type head; or less thanapproximately 8.5 mm if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-typehead; a weight volume of: less than approximately 15 cc if the golf clubhead comprises the fairway-wood-type head; less than approximately 12 ccif the golf club head comprises the driver-type head; or less thanapproximately 20 cc if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-typehead; and at least one of: a tungsten material, a nickel material, or ametal-infused plastic material; providing the shell portion comprises:providing the shell portion to comprise at least one of: a steelmaterial; or a titanium material; and coupling the shell portion to thebody opening comprises: adjusting a center of gravity of the golf clubhead: at least 0.38 mm towards a sole of the golf club head if the golfclub head comprises the fairway-wood-type head; at least 0.25 mm towardsthe sole if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head; or atleast 0.4 mm towards the sole if the golf club head comprises thehybrid-type head; establishing a weight mass of the weight member to be:at least approximately 9.5% of a mass of the golf club head if the golfclub head comprises the fairway-wood-type head; at least approximately3% of the mass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises thedriver-type head; or at least approximately 12% of the mass of the golfclub head if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head; andestablishing the weight volume of the weight member to be: at mostapproximately 14% of a volume of the golf club head if the golf clubhead comprises the fairway-wood-type head; at most approximately 5% ofthe volume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises thedriver-type head; or at most approximately 30% of the volume of the golfclub head if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head.